Promoter Eddie Hearn nonetheless views Israil Madrimov because the #1 fighter at 154 after what he feels was a controversial loss to well-known pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford on August third in Los Angeles.
Hearn says that individuals who view Crawford as the perfect nonetheless contemplate Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) #2 as a result of he got here inside a whisker of beating him on the scorecards for his or her headliner on the BMO Stadium in Las Vegas.
Sadly, there received’t be a rematch to clear up the controversy, however maybe down the street if Crawford stays at 154 lengthy sufficient to expire of viable opponents.
“I feel individuals nonetheless don’t give Israil Madrimov sufficient credit score. He’s the perfect 154-pounder on the earth. In case you suppose he misplaced the combat, then he’s the second 154-pounder on the earth,” stated promoter Eddie Hearn to the Stomping Grounds YouTube channel, about his view that Israil Madrimov remains to be the perfect fighter within the 154-lb divisions regardless of his controversial loss to Terence Crawford on August third.
Crawford is predicted to combat for the WBC interim title towards Vergil Ortiz Jr. moderately than for a full belt, however that combat is extra about enterprise. If Crawford had the chance to combat for a world title towards WBC/WBO 154-lb champion Sebastian Funfora, he’d take
Crawford at 168? ‘The Weight is Too A lot’
“I feel the burden is an excessive amount of for Crawford, however it’s irrelevant as a result of it ain’t occurring,” Hearn stated about the potential for Crawford shifting as much as 168 for a combat towards Canelo Alvarez. “We’ll see what occurs with Crawford.”
We noticed towards Madrimov that Crawford doesn’t have the scale or energy to go additional than 154 as a result of he was the weaker fighter and appears afraid of combating aggressively as he had up to now.
“He’s a really inactive fighter. He’s getting on a bit [in age]. He’s made some huge cash,” stated Hearn about Crawford. “What are the starvation ranges like? Does he need to undergo one other division to develop into undisputed? Good luck if he does.”
Crawford fights as soon as and has been doing that since 2020. He’s achieved for the remainder of 2024 after having fought as soon as, and doesn’t plan on combating till February 2025. He turns 37 in September, and he’ll be turning 38 subsequent 12 months.
“He’s a generational nice, however I do really feel like the burden positively at 168 can be an excessive amount of,” stated Hearn.
Making Large Fights
“There are a great deal of fights His Excellency Turki has wished to occur however didn’t occur, however this occurs to be a high-profile one,” stated Hearn a couple of combat between Canelo Alvarez and Crawford. “That is somebody who does what he desires, which is Saul, and somebody who has his personal plans and concepts, which is His Excellency.”
Canelo can be taken with combating Crawford if His Excellency waited till after his combat with Edgar Berlanga on September 14th to speak about it. The cash would clearly nonetheless should be proper for Canelo to comply with it as a result of he’ll need much more than what he’s been getting for a very long time.
“I’ve stated earlier than; all His Excellency desires to do is make the most important fights within the sport, and doubtless like loads of followers, will get pissed off that they will’t occur,” stated Hearn. “He wished to make Crawford towards Canelo, and he wished to make Benavidez towards Canelo.
“It’s not attainable in the intervening time. So we restrategized, refocused and we take a look at what fights could be made. I feel it was a bit of little bit of frustration for His Excellency. ‘Why can’t we discuss it? Come on.’ The best way he does enterprise, ‘Let’s make it occur.’
“One of the simplest ways to explain His Excellency is he’s a combat fan with an enormous finances,” stated Hearn.
